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NCAAB Picks

NCAA Basketball Picks: North Carolina A&T vs. Louisville

As the number one seed in the entire tournament, expectations are high for Rick Pitino's Cardinals. Will they be able to cover a massive number against the Aggies or should we place our sports picks elsewhere?

Odds Overview

The NCAA basketball odds makers have not yet released the total at time of this writing, but
the spread was at 26. This season Louisville went 20-14 ATS, while North
Carolina AT&T has covered in four of their previous five contests.

Having not lost for over five weeks, the Cardinals have
reached their peak at the perfect time. They've won 10 straight contests,
including a clean sweep of the competition in the Big East tournament.

And what a tournament it was. Louisville first dispatched
Villanova (74-55) and Notre Dame (69-57) in their opening two games, and then
masterminded a wonderful second-half comeback to beat Syracuse 78-61 in the
championship.

Obviously this team has all the makings of a championship
contender. With a backcourt duo of Russ Smith and Peyton Siva, a beast inside
in Gorgui Dieng, and a number of role players including Chane Behanan and Wayne
Blackshear, the Cardinals are likely to be a force in the Big Dance.

Louisville's press caused all sorts of problems for Syracuse
and will be utilized Pitino whenever he sees fit. No doubt the Cardinals have
the personnel to pull it off.

Coming in to the first round, Pitino's crew has been
tremendous against the spread away from home. They're 13-5 ATS in all matchups
on the road this season, so when placing their NCAA Basketball picks, backers need not be too afraid of this large
number.

North Carolina AT&T shot 51.9 percent from the floor and
held on desite hitting just 57.9 percent from the line. Bruce Beckford had 16
points and nine boards, Lamont Middleton chipped in with 14 points and five
rebounds, and Jeremy Underwood was a perfect 6-of-6 for 19 points off the
bench.

What a week it's been for the Aggies. They overcame Florida
A&M, North Carolina Central, Delaware State, and Morgan State to win the
MEAC tournament.

Considering North Carolina AT&T finished with a
pedestrian 8-8 regular season conference mark, it was quite the feat for the
Aggies.

The good times are expected to come to an end soon though,
with Louisville ready and waiting in Lexington, a short drive from their
campus. The Aggies need a complete meltdown from the Cardinals to have any
chance of avoiding a drubbing.

[gameodds]14/225166/43/us[/gameodds]

College Basketball Pick

This is a huge number for any team to cover as chalk, with a
backdoor cover always within reason in the closing minutes.

We will therefore place our attention on a first half play,
as we look for the Cardinals to come out with a purpose from the opening tip.
They will want to prove early why they deserve to be the number one overall
seed.

It's been a magical run for the Aggies, but they have no
chance here. Louisville is too strong in every regard not to cruise to an
opening-round blowout victory.